Diagnose the Home to Prevent AC Emergencies

The changing of seasons is an awkward time. Like when someone is driving in a car, and it starts out a bit chilly, so they turn on the heat. Then ten minutes later, it feels too hot, so they turn on the AC.

But soon it starts to feel chilly again, and the cycle goes on and on. Finding the perfect temperature in a home can feel just as difficult. Homeowners will try adjusting their thermostat only to find themselves much hotter than they wanted to be.

This is especially true for larger homes; more space means it takes longer for the air, whether it’s cool or warm, to circulate the house. In order to avoid this discomfort, it’s important for homeowners to prevent AC emergencies at home with the use of inspections.

Problems That Require Air Conditioning Services

Most people would agree, at least during the summer months, that air conditioning is one of the best inventions ever made. So special thanks to Willis Carrier, the man who took the time to create such a system. Less humidity and less sweat help everyone feel a little more comfortable on those scorching summer days! But like most mechanical systems, AC units can experience a few problems that require air conditioning services.

If the AC doesn’t have enough refrigerant, has dirty condenser coils, a malfunctioning fan, or leaking ducts, the AC can start to malfunction or become inefficient. A leaking duct can impact the overall air quality in the home, which makes this common AC problem especially damaging.

Rather than flowing into the rooms throughout the house, the cooled air will travel behind the walls and above the ceiling when there is an air duct leak. This ends up causing the rooms to feel hot, more humid, and less comfortable.

Preventing AC Issues From the Start

Unfortunately, many common AC problems are just the tip of the iceberg; there are larger underlying problems underneath the surface. Diagnosing the entire HVAC system will help homeowners see the bigger picture and understand what’s really going on. It allows them to find a solution that will fix the root cause of the AC problem, which helps them to be better decision-makers. This starts by understanding the signs of trouble with an AC unit.

Here are a few things to pay attention to:

• Check to see if the vents are blowing warm air instead of cold air.
• Does it feel more humid than normal?
• Pay attention to any unusual or musty odors.
• Is there poor airflow coming from the vents?
• Track the electric bills every month to see if they are steadily rising.

If any of these signals ring a bell for the current situation in your home, the AC unit is likely malfunctioning, and an HVAC diagnosis should take place to fix it.

When to Call a Technician

Who doesn’t love a good DIY project? They can be really fun and are a great way to save some money. However, they’re not advisable for home repairs. This type of DIY project can be very risky because if the repair is done incorrectly, it jeopardizes the safety of everyone living in the home. The problem? It only takes one, small wrong move to end up in a dangerous situation.

Hiring a trained and professional technician is always advisable for resolving HVAC issues as they’ll be able to ensure the safety of the house and those living in it. HVAC professionals have experience in dealing with both standard and unique AC safety issues. With all of the experience they have, they know how to fix anything, and they’ll have the tools and knowledge to fix it the right way.

About Mid Florida A/C

As a local company, Mid Florida A/C provides excellent AC services in Melbourne, FL. They understand how stressful it can be to come home to a failing furnace or air conditioner. This is why they make homeowners’ indoor comfort a priority. They start every job by getting to the source of the problem so they are able to provide customers with an accurate and effective solution.

Air Conditioning Repair Tips Your Should Know

If an HVAC unit is showing signs of AC repair needs, a homeowner's first instinct is to call their local HVAC tech for help. This is especially true in the hot and humid summer months when the air conditioner is less of a luxury and more of a necessity. What a lot of the AC professionals know is that some easy troubleshooting tips can have your system back up and running before the issue turns into an emergency.

Simple troubleshooting procedures can save you a lot of time, stress, and money. Although these may be common sense tips, they are often forgotten about or passed off as too simple to be the issue. Thankfully, the experts have shared these secrets below.

Be Aware of Your Thermostat

A thermostat is the central nervous system that operates the entire air conditioning system. When the thermostat is not working properly, it can cause the unit to malfunction or potentially not work at all. One of the easiest troubleshooting tips is to check your thermostat before you place a service call.

Take a look at some of the issues that could be due to a bad thermostat:

• There are hot or cold spots throughout the house.
• The AC consistently cycles.
• The AC will not start.
• The thermostat is unresponsive.

In a lot of cases, what appears to be a serious AC repair can be a simple thermostat fix. Before placing a call to your repairman, make sure that your thermostat is on, has fresh batteries, and is set to the correct temperature and mode.

Clean Air Filters Frequently

When an air conditioner is not cooling the home effectively, it’s often due to a dirty air filter. Air filters are one of the most common culprits behind an AC Service call. Dirty air filters can cause everything from overheating and increased energy cost, to a complete failure of the system.

If you notice a lot of dust around your vents, an increase in allergies or asthma, or ineffective cooling, make sure you check on your air filters to make sure they do not need to be changed before calling for help. This will not only save you a lot of time, but it can potentially save you an expensive service call, as well.

Try Cleaning out the Unit

This next professional troubleshooting tip is very simple, yet can cause a lot of problems if it’s not done. Cleaning your central AC unit will reduce the likelihood of repairs. Not only that, but it can extend the life of your system, as well.

When your central AC unit is covered in dust and other debris, it can work its way inside to the motor and other mechanisms that operate the machine. This can not only cause it to malfunction, but it can shorten the life of the system altogether.

If you notice that your system is not cooling your home as effectively as it once was, your energy bills have increased, or any other issues, try wiping the system down. Many residents are shocked at how much this simple troubleshooting tip can help.

About Mid Florida A/C

Mid Florida A/C has the expert HVAC technicians in the Melbourne, FL area. They provide personalized solutions to accommodate all of your needs. As homeowners themselves, they are dedicated to ensuring your overall comfort.

Tips For Your HVAC To Remember On 4th of July

With summer starting and the kids out of school, we are all looking forward to the first holiday of the season. Independence Day! A fun-filled day full of activities, food, and social gatherings.

The 4th of July is intended to remember how our nation came to be independent. In all that celebration, it’s also important to remember that we should know how to stay cool on a hot summer day.

With children running around and food being prepared, it can be easy to overlook simple ways to stay cool. Here are some air conditioning tips we’d like to share with you to prepare against the heat and help you enjoy the 4th of July to its fullest extent.

Stay Hydrated & Cool

It’s easy to stay cool with the AC going. But did you know that drinking more cold drinks would also be effective?

If you stay hydrated, your body naturally lowers its temperature and increases its tolerance to the heat.

Similarly, you wouldn’t need to run the AC as high to combat the heat's effects. It may seem odd as an HVAC tip but this is a very efficient way to stay cool. Parties are notorious for keeping the doors open which will make your AC work harder. Help it out by keeping yourself and your guests hydrated.

Monitor Your Air Filter

Air filters may seem simple but they have a very important job. They filter the dust and other particles in the air before allowing it to circulate through your home.

If you are having a bbq and the doors are left open, you can guarantee that your AC is running more energy to cleanse the smoke from the cool air it releases.

Another HVAC tip to consider is to clean and replace them regularly. This will ensure that your AC is running smoothly and efficiently while you are having fun with your friends and relatives. Since it’s also the end of spring, it’s the perfect time to clean them considering the high pollen count we were exposed to.

Preventative Maintenance Is Essential

Preparing for a day to entertain your guests doesn’t just stop with the food, drinks, decorations, and activities for the children. It also includes making sure your guests are comfortable.

Preventative maintenance is the last HVAC tip to add to your to-do list. Check that your AC unit is running efficiently by clearing away any debris, cleaning the fins and coils, and by checking that it has the proper amount of refrigerant.

The last thing you would want with a house full of guests is for the AC to stop working unexpectedly. By applying preventative maintenance to it, you’ll know in advance if parts need to be replaced or if experts help is needed.

Regardless of who’s hosting the party, these HVAC tips are still very effective. Share them with a friend or family member. If you’ve noticed an issue with your own HVAC unit, please give us a call to schedule an appointment. We’ll be more than happy to assist you with any HVAC services!

Celebrate And Give Thanks On HVAC Technician Day!

Celebration and gratitude are key points to any holiday. Whether it’s a minor or a major one, the reason behind celebrating these holidays is to recognize the people who deserve distinction.

On HVAC Technician Day, we would like to recognize the hardworking individuals who have helped to make a difference in our company and with our clients. We are very proud of our team and we are grateful for the effort they put forth into their work.

Becoming an HVAC Technician is no easy task nor is the job luxurious. That is why we would like to share some insight with you as to what a technician does; all in order to keep your daily comfort with air conditioning.

Finding the Right Technicians

HVAC Technicians are held to high standards, so when we recruit new technicians, we expect them to follow the Golden Rule:

“ Treat others as you would like to be treated”

Customer service is a critical skill to have. In order to perform their jobs, technicians are required to assist customers on a daily basis. This means they are expected to have a certain level of professionalism and courtesy.

HVAC Technicians are also expected to have the proper knowledge and licensing that ensures they can perform their jobs properly before they are hired. The education and licensing requirements include:

• A High School Diploma (4 years)
• An accredited HVAC program (6 months -2 years)
• An HVAC apprenticeship (2, 3, or 5 years)
• Additional National and State Licensing and Certifications (This varies upon the state requirements and on the program the technician completed.)

Fixing Our Customers' Living Conditions

Our living conditions would be very different if we did not have air conditioning or heating available to us.

We would not have the luxury of staying cool in the summer heat and we would freeze during a winter storm.

Wool would be considered more of a necessity than an option. Even refrigerators make our lives easier. Without them, we would have to find new ways to store our perishables. Not to mention the fact that we’d no longer have easy access to ice or frozen treats.

What Our HVAC Technicians Do

An HVAC Technicians primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Installation, Repair, and Maintenance.
• Customer Service.
• Performing warranty services.
• Complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Understanding work orders and service standards.
• Performing emergency service repairs.

While these are the primary responsibilities of a technician, they can also choose to specialize in a particular unit or service. Additional training and certifications are available to those who qualify.

Becoming an HVAC Technician requires years of dedication and a fair amount of hard work. The services and skills that they offer provide us with a more comfortable way of living. For this reason, we should give them thanks for all that they do.

If you know someone who has chosen this career, celebrate them by wishing them a happy HVAC Technician Day! If you have any questions regarding a career as an HVAC technician, please call Mid Florida A/C and we’ll be happy to assist you!

Install Central Air in an Old House Without Mistakes!

Sweating through another hot summer? Here’s what you need to know before investing in a central air conditioner for your older home.

The time has come to finally upgrade your home’s cooling needs with a central air conditioning installation.

However, there are factors you should consider, especially if you live in an older home. Always hire a reputable AC installation company to install your new central air conditioner.

Size Matters

Determining how powerful an air conditioning system needs to be to cool a house properly is easy. Above all, you don't want to install a central AC system that is too large. This will cause it to cycle on and off frequently. A large central air conditioner isn't necessarily the best, and may even be setting you up for trouble.

Larger AC units cycle far too often and don’t run long enough to remove moisture from the indoor air. Dehumidification, or the lowering of humidity levels, does not happen when the air conditioner is not on for at least ten minutes.

How do you choose the right-sized AC unit for your home? You can use one of two methods to determine the right size of AC system you will need. First, take your home's square footage and multiply it by 25. Then divide by 12,000 and subtract .05. The second way to calculate the correct size your central air conditioner should be using the square footage range by the climate zone where you live.

For example, if you live in a scorching, humid climate, you will need a unit that is capable of providing maximum cooling comfort in heat and humidity. A licensed HVAC expert can conduct a load estimation as well as determine the correct size of a central air conditioner for a home. They will evaluate your whole home, including:

• Size of living space.
• Home’s age, and condition.
• If there is existing ductwork.
• If your home has sufficient insulation.
• Older windows and wide door jambs allow outside air to enter the house.
• Are there a lot of windows in your home?

Who Needs Ducts?

Living in an older home means you probably don't have any ductwork. If this is the case, you will have to hire a licensed contractor to install the needed ducts in your home, which can set you back thousands of dollars in addition to the central air conditioning installation itself.

Keep in mind that this will require tearing open walls, even lowering your ceiling to allow room for the ductwork. This is something you may not be on board to do if you truly enjoy the original beauty of your older home.

Your other option is to install a mini-duct HVAC system instead. This will update your older home without sacrificing its historic structure. These air conditioners push cool air through small ducts, about 3" diameter.

The smaller ducts can be snaked through walls and ceilings without the need to cut holes in walls or lower of the ceiling. Mini-duct systems send cool air through small coils, smaller than on standard central air conditioners.

What Will it Cost?

Many different factors will dictate the price you will pay for your new AC system, including your climate, insulation, equipment, and labor.

You’ll end up paying about $2,000 to $5,000 per ton, depending on the size and complexity of the job, and the installation usually takes 2 to 5 days.

A central air conditioner that is professionally installed will improve the comfort level inside your older home and also the value of your property.

Still can’t decide? Contact the central air conditioner experts at Mid Florida A/C in Melbourne, FL for honest advice and recommendations.

Find Out if You Need Central AC or Window Units!

Investing in a new air conditioning system for your home is a wise decision. It will add many years of comfort to your home and increase the value of your property. Before you take the plunge, there are a few things you should consider.

Can you afford the installation cost? What about the annual maintenance? Is your home AC ready? Do you have enough space outdoors for the compressor? If you live in an apartment building, you may have to settle for a window AC unit.

The climate where you are living presently (hot and dry Phoenix versus hot and humid New Orleans) and the insulation in your home are also factors to be considered.

The Good And The Bad of Central AC

With a central AC system, you must have room outside your house for the AC compressor. In addition, you must also have ductwork already inside your home.

A central AC system is expensive to install and requires routine maintenance. However, in the long run, you will save a bundle on your monthly energy bill when you install a central AC system in your home.

The advantages of a central AC outweigh the drawbacks which, although relatively minor, are worth mentioning:

Pros And Cons of Window Units

If you are on a budget, a window AC is the way to go. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Aside from cleaning or changing the filter regularly (which you can do yourself), they do not require much maintenance.

However, If you want to put a unit in more than one room, your monthly energy bill increase significantly.

You can install a window AC unit even if you are not a savvy DIYer. They will only cool one room and if you put a unit in multiple rooms, it can get expensive.

Insulation is Important

A poorly insulated home will result in a higher energy bill, no matter which system you use. The cool air produced by either system will escape through cracks and crevices if your home is poorly insulated. It would be wise to have it professionally insulated before you install the central AC system or any AC for that matter.

This will lower your monthly utility bill and save you a ton of money in the long run. The downside is that, unlike with a window AC, a central air conditioner is more costly and will require regular inspections.

Which AC System is Right For Your Home?

Air conditioning for your home is a major decision that should be carefully thought out. Does your current home have a heating system already?

If you do, you can probably install central AC. If your home already has ductwork and vents, again, you can install central AC.

However, If you live in an apartment, a central AC system may not be appropriate because there is no room outside for the compressor. Apartment dwellers prefer window AC units because you can take them with you when you move out.

The cost of installing a central AC system should be considered. You will need to hire a reputable HVAC contractor to install it. A window AC unit installation is a breeze, you may even be able to do it yourself. Window units are affordable, but they will only cool one room.

Central AC system or Window AC unit? Whichever you choose depends on a few factors. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each cooling system and you will enjoy years of reliable cooling in your home. Call the experts at Mid Florida A/C in Melbourne, FL for a free phone consultation.

Why Can’t Your Air Conditioner Keep Up?

When spring starts turning into summer it means the weather starts getting warmer and in Melbourne, the weather gets quite a bit warmer. And it stays warm for a long time. That’s when you’re going to need your air conditioner to help cool things down.

But what if your air conditioner isn’t working the way you need it to? Well, that’s when you need to get it checked out and make sure that it’s ready to go when the summer comes again. With Mid Florida A/C, you can easily get the air conditioning services that you’re looking for to prepare you for the ultimate heat of summer.

Our team is actually able to help you with anything you may need for your air conditioner or even the rest of your HVAC system. All you need to do is give us a call to get our team to your home in Melbourne, FL.

Duct Leakage

The ductwork throughout your house is designed to transport the cold air to everything. But if your ductwork isn’t working right then you could be losing some of that cold air in the wrong places.

Duct leakage is something you definitely want to get rid of as quickly as possible so you can get the most efficiency out of your air conditioner.

Otherwise, you’re spending a lot of money on something that isn’t giving you much for results.

Unserviced Evaporator Coil

Evaporator coils within your air conditioner are the parts that actually give you the cold air. If the evaporator coil is broken, however, that means you won’t get the cold air that you actually want.

Making sure this piece is always up to your standards and that you can turn it on when you want it is the first step to enjoying the summer. That’s why maintenance should be the number one thing in your mind.

Wrong or Clogged Air Filter

Air filters are the way that your air conditioning unit keeps dirt and debris from being dispersed through the vents.

But if you have the wrong filter or if you have a clogged filter it can become a huge problem. After all, a bad filter means that the air you want is getting blocked up and the air conditioner has to work harder and still gives you even less actual air throughout.

That’s a big dilemma and it means you need to check the filters, or keep the maintenance up properly.

Unit is Not the Right Size

Any air conditioner that you buy is going to have a maximum amount of square footage that it can cool, so make sure you look at the air conditioner you have and the size of your home.

If your house is the right size to fit the capabilities of your air conditioner you’re going to be off to the right start, but otherwise, you may want to look for a larger (or smaller) air conditioner.

That way you get the efficiency you need without added cost. You don’t need to suffer this summer in Melbourne, FL. Instead, just give Mid Florida AC a call and find out more about what you can do to get ready.

When to Replace or Repair Your HVAC

Every time a Melbourne, FL homeowner's heating or air conditioning system breaks down, they ask themselves the same type of question. Do I call for repairs or replace the air conditioner? Can the furnace be fixed or should I purchase a new one? The frugal choice is always to get repairs, but at some point, homeowners have to figure out when going the repair route is no longer viable and a replacement is necessary.

In order to do this, one must be able to look at the overall picture and history of the device. It helps to learn how to read the signs of equipment nearing the end of its life cycle. Here are several factors to consider when evaluating air conditioners, furnaces, and thermostats.

Air Conditioner Woes

Air conditioners have a lifetime of about 12 years, at which point they may begin to frequently show signs they're approaching their demise and break down on a regular basis.

If your AC unit struggles to produce cool air, has diminished airflow, starts making strange noises or emits a weird odor, these are all bad signs.

This is the point you should think about buying an air conditioner replacement. Air conditioners are fragile and complex machines, which makes maintaining them for an extended period of time a monumental task. It's best to learn to let go when it's time and embrace newer models, which are often more energy efficient than old units.

Furnace on the Decline

Furnaces are pretty solid and last about 17 years on average. Anything beyond that mark, however, and you should seriously consider shopping around for a replacement.

Similar to every other device in your home, your furnace will develop more problems the older it gets. If you notice it has a hard time warming up your home, or it starts making strange, loud noises, these aren't good signs.

Furnaces are capable of lasting for many years if they're well-maintained, but these are rare cases. Don't hold on for too long, and don't hesitate to purchase a furnace replacement when the time is right.

Busted Thermostat

Thermostats are the middleman between you and your HVAC system. They're designed to perform the simple task of regulating the temperature, but that doesn't mean these devices operate perfectly at all times.

As a matter of fact, a busted thermostat could greatly impact the climate in your home and also your utility costs.

If you experience sudden temperature changes or notice the value listed on a thermostat doesn't match up with a room's climate, these are serious problems that need to be addressed right away and might be a cause to research thermostat replacement.